Planning Departments
Ten metropolitan borough councils - each their own planning authority
Ten separate planning authorities: Greater Manchester County Council was abolished in 1986. Each of the 10 metropolitan borough councils is its own Local Planning Authority. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (Mayor Andy Burnham) is a strategic body covering transport, housing strategy and economic development - it is not a planning authority and does not determine planning applications. Contact the relevant borough council directly for all planning enquiries.
Peak District National Park: Small parts of Tameside, Stockport and Oldham fall within the Peak District National Park. The Peak District National Park Authority (01629 816200) is the planning authority for all land within the NPA boundary - contact them, not the borough council, for sites within the National Park.
Peak District National Park: Small parts of Tameside, Stockport and Oldham fall within the Peak District National Park. The Peak District National Park Authority (01629 816200) is the planning authority for all land within the NPA boundary - contact them, not the borough council, for sites within the National Park.
Manchester City Council
Manchester city centre, Hulme, Moss Side, Wythenshawe, Didsbury, Chorlton
0161 234 4514manchester.gov.uk/planning
Manchester city centre is one of the UK's most active development markets. The Northern Quarter, Ancoats (now a Conservation Area), Castlefield (Urban Heritage Park), and the First Street development zone each have specific design expectations. Many sites are on former industrial land with contamination histories - ground investigation is standard. The Irwell Riverside and NOMA districts are major mixed-use development areas.
Salford City Council
Salford, MediaCityUK, Eccles, Swinton, Irlam, Worsley
0161 793 3322salford.gov.uk/planning
MediaCityUK on the former Salford Docks is a major development zone with BBC and ITV studios. Salford Quays and Ordsall Chord area have significant ongoing regeneration. River Irwell flood risk affects much of central Salford - Flood Risk Assessments routinely required. Many brownfield sites in Salford carry ground contamination from former docks and industrial uses.
Trafford MBC
Stretford, Sale, Altrincham, Urmston, Partington, Old Trafford
0161 912 2000trafford.gov.uk/planning
Altrincham town centre has undergone major regeneration and is a design exemplar. The Trafford Centre area and Trafford Park industrial zone are significant employment locations with complex utility infrastructure. Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium and the surrounding area have associated noise and transport safeguarding zones.
Stockport MBC
Stockport, Cheadle, Bramhall, Hazel Grove, Marple, Hyde (boundary)
0161 474 3875stockport.gov.uk/planning
Stockport town centre is undergoing major regeneration including the Stockport Exchange and Merseyway redevelopment. The eastern parts of Stockport MBC border the Peak District National Park - check the NPA boundary carefully. River Mersey and River Goyt flood risk is significant through the borough.
Tameside MBC
Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge, Hyde, Dukinfield, Mossley, Longdendale
0161 342 3346tameside.gov.uk/planning
Longdendale and the eastern edge of Tameside border the Peak District National Park - the NPA is the planning authority for land within the boundary. The Tame Valley has significant flood risk. Much of Tameside has a former textile and engineering industry legacy with associated ground contamination on brownfield sites.
Oldham MBC
Oldham, Saddleworth, Royton, Chadderton, Shaw, Lees
0161 770 4045oldham.gov.uk/planning
Saddleworth village falls within Oldham MBC but sits close to the Peak District boundary - check the NPA boundary for eastern sites. Oldham town centre is undergoing significant regeneration. The moorland uplands have restricted permitted development in some areas - check with the council for any sites above the urban edge.
Rochdale MBC
Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton, Littleborough, Milnrow, Whitworth
01706 647474rochdale.gov.uk/planning
Rochdale Town Hall is a Grade I listed building. The Rochdale Canal Conservation Area runs through the borough. The Roch Valley is prone to flooding - consult the EA flood risk maps for any riverside or low-lying sites. Rochdale was the birthplace of the Co-operative movement - several heritage buildings in Toad Lane are listed.
Bury MBC
Bury, Radcliffe, Ramsbottom, Tottington, Whitefield, Prestwich
0161 253 5000bury.gov.uk/planning
Ramsbottom and the Irwell Valley are scenic conservation areas with a strong heritage character. The East Lancashire Railway runs through Ramsbottom - a safeguarded corridor. River Irwell and River Roch flood risk applies to riverside settlements. The northern edge of Bury borders the open moorland of the West Pennine Moors.
Bolton MBC
Bolton, Farnworth, Horwich, Westhoughton, Leigh (boundary), Atherton
01204 333333bolton.gov.uk/planning
Bolton town centre is a Heritage Action Zone. Rivington Pike and the West Pennine Moors form the northern edge of the borough - open moorland with restricted development. Former coal mining areas in the south of the borough may have ground instability risks - check with the Coal Authority.
Wigan MBC
Wigan, Leigh, Atherton, Golborne, Standish, Skelmersdale (boundary)
01942 244991wigan.gov.uk/planning
Wigan has extensive former coalfield areas - Coal Authority mining risk assessments are standard for many development sites. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal passes through the borough with associated Conservation Area protections along the towpath. Leigh and Atherton have significant brownfield regeneration programmes.
Building Control
BCO contacts for Building Regulations approval across Greater Manchester
LABC - Find Your Greater Manchester Building Control Team
All 10 borough councils - postcode search
Each of the 10 metropolitan borough councils operates its own building control team. You may also use a Registered Building Control Approver (RBCA) anywhere in Greater Manchester.
Heritage & Conservation
Ancoats, Castlefield, Rochdale Canal, Salford Quays heritage
Historic England - North West
Covers all of Greater Manchester and the wider North West
0161 242 1400northwest@historicengland.org.uk
Manchester office. The Ancoats Conservation Area is one of the world's earliest industrial suburbs. Castlefield Urban Heritage Park is home to Roman fort remains (Mamucium) and the world's oldest surviving railway viaduct. The Rochdale Canal and Bridgewater Canal corridors are significant heritage assets. John Rylands Library (Manchester) is Grade I listed.
Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit (GMAU)
Archaeological advisory service for all 10 boroughs
GMAU provides archaeological advisory services to all 10 Greater Manchester borough councils. Contact the relevant borough planning department who will involve GMAU where archaeology is a material planning consideration. Roman road alignments cross several parts of the conurbation.
Environment & Flood Risk
River Irwell, Mersey, Tame and Roch flood risk; widespread brownfield contamination
Environment Agency - North West
Flood risk, water quality, contaminated land regulation
03708 506 506Check flood risk - GOV.UK
Flood Incident Line: 0345 988 1188 (24hr). Greater Manchester has extensive fluvial and surface water flood risk. The Rivers Irwell, Mersey, Tame, Roch and Medlock all have significant flood zones running through urban areas. Development near any watercourse almost certainly requires a Flood Risk Assessment. Manchester's history of cotton manufacturing, engineering and chemicals means widespread ground contamination on brownfield sites - Phase 1 and Phase 2 ground investigations are standard pre-development requirements on former industrial land across the conurbation.
Coal Authority
Former coalfield areas - Bolton, Wigan, Leigh, Oldham
01623 637 000Coal Authority - mining risk
The western parts of Greater Manchester (Wigan, Leigh, Bolton, parts of Salford) lie over former coalfields. A Coal Authority Mining Risk Assessment is required for development in high-risk zones. Check the Coal Authority's interactive map before any groundworks in these areas.
Utilities & Infrastructure
United Utilities, Electricity North West, Cadent Gas, Metrolink
United Utilities
Water supply and sewerage - all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs
0345 672 3723unitedutilities.com/developers
Build-over agreements required within 3 metres of a public sewer. The Greater Manchester sewer network is dense and complex - always obtain records before commencing any excavation. United Utilities serves the entire North West region.
Electricity North West (ENW)
Electricity distribution - all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs
0800 195 4141enwl.co.uk/connections
Power cuts: 105. ENW serves the entire North West. The Metrolink tram network has electrical infrastructure that may affect development near tram lines - consult Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) for sites adjacent to tram routes.
Cadent Gas
Gas distribution - all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs
0800 389 8000cadentgas.com
Gas emergency: 0800 111 999. Cadent operates the North West gas distribution network. The Manchester city centre area has a particularly dense gas main network - always use LSBUD before any excavation.
National Highways
M60, M62, M6, M56, M61, M66 - strategic roads serving Greater Manchester
0300 123 5000nationalhighways.co.uk
The M60 orbital motorway encircles Greater Manchester. Development near motorway junctions may trigger Transport Assessments and require consultation with National Highways as a statutory consultee. Manchester Airport is a major safeguarding zone - consult the airport operator for development near flight paths.
Trade Bodies & Professional Registers
Find vetted tradespeople and professionals across Greater Manchester
Federation of Master Builders
Gas Safe Register
0800 408 5500gassaferegister.co.uk
NICEIC - Find a Registered Electrician
MCS - Find a Renewable Energy Installer
RICS - Find a Surveyor
Accuracy notice: Contact details and websites change. We update this directory periodically but always verify contacts directly. Last verified August 2026.